Five Tips for Website Safety

Website Safety Tips

5 Essential Tips to Protect Your Website and Your Business

Our sites no longer get hacked. That’s right! You heard me! We have DSDIII – this is the way it should have been all along. Above anything else, we decided it was of number one importance for IT experts to be held accountable for our sites running without interruption and exposure to hacks.

All of our IT contracts have required that the sites be kept safe. We finally found someone who could do it.

We used to have security breaches all the time. If one of our coaches put in a questionable plugin, it could invite hackers. A different theme could open us up to trouble. Then, because we were all connected, we’d all be vulnerable. That was in the olden days. In the last eight months, we rebuilt DSD. DSD is now an even more incredible business asset for health professionals without the pesky interruptions of cleanups due to unwanted destruction due to a security lapse.

NEW FOR DSDIII

Since the world is a crazy place with hackers who are constantly causing destruction, sometimes for money, sometimes, just for fun, we decided it was pretty pointless to try to stop them. Instead, we’ve spoiled their fun by becoming pretty much impenetrable and if they do happen to get through, we have a backup plan. Our sites are monitored 24/7 with a reactionary system in place for instant protection. Then, DSDIII has multiple websites for each coach, all current (no catching up). If something happens to one, the other pops in, so we never, ever have a site go down. We also have free onboarding training as well as continuing training and up to 4 hours of free technical support/VA time each month.

I thought this was a good time to remind all health coaches about some important things you should do to keep your sites safe. No fear mongering – but hacking can cause a TON of damage.

Cathy Sykora

5 Easy Tips

A Web Developer at $175 per hour – taking 30 hours to fix things would cost you $5250.00. That’s nothing compared to the missed business. It happens. Unfortunately, it’s a part of having a website, it’s happened to me on several sites. You can’t always prevent them, but, there are things you can do to minimize your exposure.

#1. Change Your Username When You Get Your Site

Do pick a name that is memorable to you, but not apparent or easily guessed by anyone else. Don’t use “admin” for your username. If your profile was created with the username admin you can create a new user and delete the old one – but be careful and make sure you backup first. This link instructs how to change your username. http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-change-your-wordpress-username/

DSD –Be sure to do this. IMPORTANT – Don’t delete the username you received, but change that password too.

#3 UPDATE WordPress, Plugins, and Theme

Do make sure you update WordPress, Plugins, and Themes. There is always a notice on your dashboard when it’s time to update. Do check for updates everytime you get on your site. Do login in a minimum of weekly to review and update. Do backup your site before you update. Do check the Plugin Forums to make sure everything is running smoothly with the updates before you update any plugin.

FOR DSD – we update WordPress, our plugins and DIVI, and Virtue. If you put your own theme or plugins, you need to update them. Olivier says to check what the update is for. Go to – updates section. There is a section called “View Version Details” this will tell you what’s been changed for each plugin. If it’s a security issue, they show you at the top.

I am not sure what DSD or DSDII is but it sounds like you have some major security covered. And some tips for all of us whether we are in the health coach arena or not. Lastpass is great and a good tip. I plan to look into some of those plugins too.

You’re so wise to prioritize website security! Hacks, malware, and attacks happen all of the time and can take down a business. People don’t think it can happen to them, but it can! Excellent tips to help others protect their online security.

This is a great reminder and list for all of us, whether it is a health coach site or not. I am surprised you can have 34 plugins and not have sites slowed down by this. I only have 17 and have been advised not to add more, as the inevitable result is that they slow down load time for the site. I see how security is becoming probably the key priority for anyone who has a website. My web person does backups frequently and we never update plugins before a backup. We’ve had issues and being prepared saves a lot of time and money! Thanks for the tips, Cathy!